Description
Heart of Hearts is an alternative Christmas album by the American composer/arranger, musician, and singer, Rob Mathes, independently released on Night Music Productions in 1992. Featuring bassist Tony Levin, percussionist and drummer Joe Bonadio of Chuck Mangione fame, and Tom Stacy of The New York Philharmonic.
Heart Of Hearts was released in 1992 on Night Music Productions, a label run by Ed Manning out of San Francisco. The material on this record came out of a few song cycles Rob wrote for two churches in lower Connecticut and it was the first CD he ever released. These song cycles written during Advent Season became the cornerstone of Rob’s Holiday Concerts which have gone on since 1993.
Let’s see…pianist, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer, Rob Mathes is clearly talented. For years, he was part of Chuck Mangione’s group. Musical credentials established, panoramic is probably the best way to describe Mathes’ marriage of pop, jazz, choral, gospel, brass and classical styles. This is actually a concept album containing “In My Heart Of Hearts” and “Let The Children Come”, both of which are song cycles – a group of songs with a narrative theme. Musically, this is sophisticated stuff, musically polished and refreshingly different from the Nashville scene. The album deals with issues of faith and existence and these are portrayed both musically and lyrically. There is a wonderful spine chilling moment where the gospel exuberance of «Sing Hallelujah» clashes with the classical brass opening of «Troubled Today» to paint a realistic picture of the clash between doubt and faith. Clever stuff! Outstandingly performed, I particularly liked the Sting-like vocal of «Gracious Good Shepherd» and the funk and truth of «Five Sparrows». This album has everything except the kitchen sink – lyrical themes that stimulate both brain and spirit and musical brilliance seldom experienced in Christian music. A rewarding listen if you take the time to enjoy it. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, April 1996]
We call them sleepers or dark horses. You know what I mean. In an athletic competition, one competitor comes out of nowhere with talents and abilities which catch opponents off their guard. Or in a political campaign, the dark horse candidate is the unknown factor. The dark horse is full of surprises and either upsets the balance between leading candidates or, sometimes wins the race. It may be a bit of a stretch to call Rob Mathes a sleeper or dark horse, but he is probably a surprise to the majority of the Christian music audience. The audience, and the industry, would do well to take notice.
Mathes comes by way of his experience of touring and performing with Chuck Mangione and his jazz group, and the independent label, Night Music Productions. Mathes, who is in his late 20s, is a confident and mature artist with a unique musical vision. ‘Heart of Heart’ is a product full of light and easy jazz that has been Mangione’s trademark, but Mathes is no Mangione wannabe. This project is a personal reflection on Mathes’ thoughts, feelings, emotions, and reactions at two separate Christmas times. These reflections focus into two distinct and moving songs cycles. This is Christmas music for the whole year, and there is not a carol in earshot, save from a few musical quotations from «Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne». More “Christmas albums” should follow Mathes’ lead. We would have a lot more enjoyable Christmas music if they did.
The first cycle is called “Let The Children Come,” and is the shorter of the two song cycles. Its six parts begin with the call to “Let the Children Come.” From there the journey leads through an inability to see what is revealed and an accompanying plea for mercy, through doubt, through the assurance of God’s presence with the “children,” and finally to the wonder of childlike faith and discovery.
The second cycle is “In My Heart of Hearts,” which is more complex in terms of its structure. It is twice as long, more or less. The songs are carefully interwoven. There are a brass quintet and extensive choral sections. The theme, on the other hand, is straightforward. “In My Heart of Hearts” is more a statement of faith than a search for answers. Mathes includes a “Credo,” a section of praise and meditation, and expressions of desire to be like and to follow the “Saviour.” A recurring musical theme is the melody from «Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne», which brings to mind the words, “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus/There is room in my heart for thee.” The only serious question in this cycle is rhetorical, “Where do I turn/Who do I turn to/If not you?”
Mathes is a compelling vocalist, at ease singing ballads as well as jazz. His jazz experience certainly shows in his vocals, his greatest strength, however, is his talent as a composer and arranger. Mathes has a masterful touch in the nuances of his jazz stylings and in the subtleties of the choral work and of the brass quintet sections.
‘Heart of Hearts’ is an outstanding entry from a sleeper in Christian music. A sleeper can only be a surprise once. After that we all know what to expect. Look for Rob Mathes coming, because you will get a glimpse into the heart of an artist. [T.L. Faris, Syndicate, Vol 8/Issue 4, July/August 1993]
CD tracklist:
Let The Children Come
01. Let The Children Come – 2:33
02. My Eyes Are Closed – 4:25
03. We The Children Come – 0:44
04. Gracious Good Shepherd – 4:43
05. Psalm 139 – 4:55
06. Spirit And The Child – 6:05
In My Heart Of Hearts
07. Prologue – 1:31
08. Credo – 6:15
09. Sing Hallelujah – 2:10
10. Troubled Today – 4:26
11. Meditation On Heart Of Hearts – 5:30
12. Where Do I Turn – 3:38
13. Five Sparrows – 5:36
14. Saviour’s Heart – 3:38
15. Star Bright – 3:40
16. Holy Hill – 4:10
17. In My Heart Of Hearts – 2:28
18. I Want To Hear The Bells – 5:19
Note: Night Music Productions also released a VHS video to accompany the album. The video features a straight forward live concert performance where Rob Mathes is backed by a band, 40-piece choir and a classical horn quintet.
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